The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-04-02

an instant.
Lift her up" Will, he said. "Steady,
now, Ailsa, my darling; never fear that
I'll let you fall. Here you are. Climb
aboard, VIII, and let the boat drop
under the stern. All sail, boys. I'm
glad to see you looking alive. Cut the |
cable and let the anchor go--what's a
bit of iron more or less? But, lively,
lads, lively now, if you'd serve Allan
Gordonn
The crew of the sloop, three stall
wart, strong-limbed young sailors,
seemed to need no urging. Like light
ing the broad sheets of canvas rose in
the air, swelling out, balloon-like, be-
fore the breeze. The blow of keen
edged Ratchet severed the cable in an
instant and the slOOp at once began to
gather way. But now the pursuing
boats were near at hand, and from the
foremost came a stern voice saying:
Lower your sails and let us come on
board. command you in the name of
the law"
Allan Gordon, whom the light of
the ships lamp now showed TO be a
stalwart, broad-shouldered youth, with
laughing brown eyes and clustering
chestnut hair, smiled as he heard the
command, but, without making any
answer, turned to lead Ailsa to the
hatchway. But now there came an
other sterner hail.
"Do you hear what I say? Lay by!
We are armed, and will fire if you do
not obey"
Poor Ailsa, who had not bargained
for any thing like this, trembled with
terror, and at this Allan's GOODNESS at
once forsook him.
You'll fire, will you," he shouted,
savagely. Then do you know what
I'll do? just empty one musket in this
direction, and I'll change my course
and run down both your miserable
cock-shells, as sure as there's a God. "
There was a dead silence after that
from the boats, but Ailsa, as she heard
the threat, clasped Allan's arm convul-
sively.
"Allan, Allan! how can you! And
my uncle, too!'
Your uncle, Ailsa. Is he in the
boats?"
"Of course he is. 1t was he who
spoke"
Allan's lips gave vent to a long
whistle, but he answered finally, with &
broad smile upon his handsome face:
"Never fear, Ailsa, darling, l Won
have to perjure myself. His men hearC
the thr eat, and that'll do, | know The
Coast Guards. But come, my lassie
one word to Will, and then I'll show
you your cabin"
In moment he was again by her sid
and led the way to the companion. De
scending the steps, he ushered Ais
v within the apartment with a grac
which would have become the com
mander of man-of-war.
Ailsa stopped short, for momen
dumb with amazement. She had eX
pected to find the painful neatness of
trading sloop's cabin, but she stood in
stead within large and brilliantl
lighted salon, gorgeous with mirror
and gliding, crimson carpets and uphol
STEERING.
"This-this vessel is not a-trader,
she faltered, turning toward Allan.
"What is it them" he asked smiling
"a smuggler?"
ut is yacht" said Ailsa tremblin
; with timidity and fear of she knew ne
what.
I, "Of course it's yacht" said Altar
leading her gently to seat
Then you are not poor, but rich?
she said, looking at him with somethin
: like dread.
Allan laughed.
d well, I'm rich enough to own Ii
e tie yacht, at all events, " he answered
& gayly. but now, Ailsa, darling, b.
h fore we have any explanations, let n
set your mind at rest as to our futul
It movements. It is all very simple.
is have directed VIII to see that we kee
g but Just so far ahead of the boats
will encourage them to follow us. B
y tween now and tomorrow morning v
will lead them pretty nearly all ov
n the sound, and when we get them in
lie where it suits us We'll put on sail al
g let them drop. At sunrise we'll be o
st of sight, and they will have son
m twenty miles to row to reacI HON
he Now, don't worry about your uncl
III Ailsa, for he have the easiest time
lie it all. It's the poor rascals who PIT
T. the oars that you should pity. b
to long before day you will be safely
eP home again, and no one will kno
ut where you have been or how you car
back. This is my plan, Ailsa, and tn
ed is what we will do unless"
Allan paused, hesitated and turn
r. away.
m "Unless what, Allan?" said Aili
o. | tinillV